Swansea are searching for their fifth permanent manager in three years after the departure of Graham Potter last week.

Tranmere manager Micky Mellon has emerged as the favourite amongst the front-runners, who consist of Newport boss Michael Flynn, u23 manager Cameron Toshack, Gus Poyet and surprisingly Argentinian legend Gabriel Batistuta.

Former Swans and Tranmere player Andy Robinson has backed Mellon for the role, and although the Scot has never managed at Championship level before, he does have five promotions on his CV to boast, most recently winning back-t0-back promotions with Tranmere at Wembley on Saturday.

Swansea always recruit managers based on their style of play, but this summer what will be crucial is a manager who gets the best out of his players. Just as Potter did and countless Swans' managers have in the past, such as Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers.

Swansea may still be receiving parachute payments following their relegation from the Premier League in 2018, but many players have departed this season, with the likelihood that key players such as Daniel James and Oli McBurnie could follow.

Mellon could be that man. James Norwood had never played regularly in the Football League prior to Mellon's arrival on Merseyside. This season he was just one goal shy of scoring 30 goals in his debut season in League Two.

Tranmere's promotion winning side has been cobbled together using free transfers and loans, but Mellon has installed a spirit and a winning mentality which could be a recipe for success at any club, and it would be exactly what Swansea need with limited funds available.

Chris Coleman had been linked with the job but his name has since dropped out of favour with the bookies.

Perhaps the American owners will go with a name a plump for Gabriel Batistuta.

The risk would be huge, given the former Roma man has never managed. But neither had Frank Lampard, and he proved to be a big success this season.

It is however more likely that Swansea may go down the cheap route, and appoint either Cameron Toshack or Alan Tate, whom both work at Swansea with differing youth teams.

Tate played in the same successful Swansea side as former manager Garry Monk.

If he could have a similar immediate impact Swansea would be on to a winner, but Swansea may not afford him the time he needs should results begin to slip.